POLL: Logan Airport radar system is on the fritz

Friday

Aug 27, 2010 at 12:01 AMAug 27, 2010 at 5:16 PM

Pilots and air traffic controllers say a new ground radar system designed to prevent collisions on runways and taxiways at Logan International Airport gives false readings that have caused pilots to abort landings, especially in bad weather. Do you think a runway incursion similar to the 1977 Tenerife disaster that killed 583 people in the Canary Islands could happen at a major U.S. airport? Read the story and take our poll. Post a comment or e-mail us at letters@enterprisenews.com or editpage@ledger.com. Call 781-340-3157 and leave a short message that we might post as an audio letter.

Pilots and air traffic controllers say a new ground radar system designed to prevent collisions on runways and taxiways at Logan International Airport gives false readings that have caused pilots to abort landings, especially in bad weather. The $15 million radar was installed by the FAA last year to prevent runway incursions at the busy airport, where planes routinely take off and land on intersecting runways. It could potentially cause tragic accidents.

Do you think a runway incursion similar to the 1977 Tenerife disaster that killed 583 people in the Canary Islands could happen at a major U.S. airport? Read the story and take our poll. Post a comment or e-mail us at letters@enterprisenews.com or editpage@ledger.com. Call 781-340-3157 and leave a short message that we might post as an audio letter.